This volume presents multiple sides to dress codes in schools. It recognizes the intimate relationship between its subject and reader as it weaves together different points of view that concern students' rights to wear what they want to wear. Can students fight dress codes? Should teachers have dress codes? Are uniforms a way of controlling young people? Should school uniforms accommodate Muslim culture? These questions and more are answered in this book.

One of our surest freedoms is being able to wear what we want to wear, to express our own sense of Self. Because this expression can go wildly off the rails, we have dress codes. Teens need to understand that while dress codes may be a downer, they're in place for very compelling reasons. This collection of personal accounts and factual articles explain why we have these codes. Readers will evaluate whether dress codes help students learn, and whether they set the proper tone. They will learn about the relation between safety and dress codes, and between the Constitution and dress codes.

Most schools have at least some form of a dress code. However, some people believe dress codes are restrictive and unnecessary. Is one approach better than the other? Readers are immersed in the debate surrounding school dress codes through the use of informative text that presents multiple points of view. Eye-catching fact boxes, detailed graphic organizers, and full-color photographs enhance this engaging reading experience. Readers are encouraged to keep an open mind and develop an informed opinion as they explore the many sides of an issue that directly affects them.

"This is one of the best books involving legal issues that I have seen. It is practical, well organized, and thorough. Specific court cases and findings clearly illuminate the intent of the law, giving the administrator guidance in making sound legal decisions. This book would be an excellent reference for any administrator′s collection."--Sharon M. Redfern, PrincipalHighland Park Elementary School, Lewistown, MT The ideal quick-reference guide for understanding legal issues in schools! On a daily basis, today′s educators must make legally sound decisions concerning the instruction, supervision, and safety of students while operating within the boundaries of the U.S. Constitution, federal and state laws, and school district policy. This compact, jargon-free, easy-to-understand reference focuses on two hundred common legal issues to provide school administrators and teachers with authoritative, legally defensible approaches for addressing school challenges. Through the accessible Q&A format, teachers and school leaders can read sequentially or browse for immediate answers on topics such as religious issues, individuals′ rights, disciplinary practices, morality, teacher dismissal, liabilities, NCLB, and more. Practical and concise, this guide provides: A list of relevant court cases pertaining to each question and answer Legal references to guide teachers′ and school leaders′ actions A glossary of legal terms and a list of selected federal statutes Summaries and conclusions at the end of each chapter The 200 Most Frequently Asked Legal Questions for Educators contains invaluable information to assist educators in performing their duties effectively and in accordance with the law.

School uniform polices, often associated with private schools, are increasingly being adopted in public schools; but not without controversy. The often asserted reasons for mandating uniforms include improved student behavior, better attendance, less competition over clothing, and improved student learning because students would not be distracted by who was wearing what and could focus on their studies. Wishful thinking or empirically tested hypotheses? However, opponents assert that a mandated uniform seeks to homogenize the students, violates their free speech rights, and does not solve the problems the policy is intended to remedy. The Challenges of Mandating School Uniforms in the Public Schools: Free Speech, Research, and Policy explores the policy rationale, the constitutional rights of students, and the research on the impact of school uniforms. Educators, parents, and policymakers will find this book and its companion, Student Dress Codes and the First Amendment: Legal Challenges and Policy Issues, a must read when considering student attire issues.

"Read about the history of fashion, current fashion trends, and dress codes"--Provided by publisher

A “sharp and entertaining” exploration of fashion through the ages that asks what our clothing reveals about ourselves and our society (The Wall Street Journal). Dress codes are as old as clothing itself. For centuries, clothing has been a wearable status symbol; fashion, a weapon in struggles for social change; and dress codes, a way to maintain political control. Dress codes evolved along with the social and political ideals of the day, but they always reflected struggles for power and status. Even in today’s more informal world, dress codes still determine what we wear, when we wear it—and what our clothing means. People lose their jobs for wearing braided hair, long fingernails, large earrings, beards, and tattoos or refusing to wear a suit and tie or make-up and high heels. In some cities, wearing sagging pants is a crime. And even when there are no written rules, implicit dress codes still influence opportunities and social mobility. Silicon Valley CEOs wear t-shirts and flip-flops, setting the tone for an entire industry: women wearing fashionable dresses or high heels face ridicule in the tech world, and some venture capitalists refuse to invest in any company run by someone wearing a suit. In Dress Codes, law professor and cultural critic Richard Thompson Ford presents a “deeply informative and entertaining” history of the laws of fashion from the middle ages to the present day, a walk down history’s red carpet to uncover and examine the canons, mores, and customs of clothing—rules that we often take for granted (The New York Times Book Review). After reading Dress Codes, you’ll never think of fashion as superficial again.

A timely investigation of the history, legislation, and perpetrators of school violence, this guide debunks the myths and misconceptions about this terrible problem of national concern. With school violence on the rise, schools have implemented security safeguards like never before in the form of metal detectors, video cameras, and armed guards. School communities have mixed opinions regarding these drastic prevention measures—many welcome the protection, while some condemn the reminders of violence these tactics evoke. This comprehensive text introduces the history of school violence in the United States, providing an overview of proposed causes—from violent video games, to inadequate parental involvement, to bullying by classmates—and detailing the pros and cons of various deterrents. Experienced criminologist Laura Finley incorporates personal reflections, primary source data, and profiles of key figures to address the painful reality of school shootings and other violent acts. The text expounds upon the characteristics of victims, individuals who are most likely to carry out violence, and common types of assaults. Chapters include a discussion on current legislation; stories of infamous perpetrators; activists who are working to make schools safer; and school, community, and societal risk factors.

"God In Schools" is a book designed for principals, teachers and parents, showing how we deviated from the education plan of our American heritage, the effect it has had upon our nation, and the urgency to put God back into America's schools. Dr. Christine Van Horn is a long time member of Family Harvest Church in Tinley Park, Illinois. Under Senior Pastor, Dr. Robb Thompson, she has served in the Children's Ministry for many years and most recently has been the Team Leader for "Champions in Character Club." Dr. Van Horn received her Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Theology from the International College of Excellence, founded by Dr. Thompson. Dr. Van Horn has been on the faculty of the International College of Excellence. She and her husband, John, are currently on the faculty of the DanEL Institute of Higher Learning, in Tinley Park, Illinois. Dr. Christine Van Horn may be contacted at: jcvanhorninc@comcast.net.

This handbook is currently in development, with individual articles publishing online in advance of print publication. At this time, we cannot add information about unpublished articles in this handbook, however the table of contents will contunue to grow as additional articles pass through the review process and are added to the site. Please note that the online publication date for this handbook is the date that the first article in the title was published online.